But in the end... he was 'apolitical'

In that same 1977 interview with Melody Maker, Bowie summed up what would be his political legacy.

Politicians would try to seize on his messages - including the Tories using 'Changes' at their 2010 manifesto launch.

Tony Blair also presented a Brit award for Outstanding Contribution to Bowie in 1996.

But in the end, Bowie's words could speak to anyone.

He was quoted in the 1977 interview as saying: "I'm apolitical.

"The more I travel and the less sure I am about exactly which political philosophies are commendable.

"The more government systems I see, the less enticed I am to give my allegiance to any set of people, so it would be disastrous for me to adopt a definitive point of view, or to adopt a party of people and say 'these are my people'."